FEBRUARY 2018

Innovation Review

Monthly information on a variety of economic, business, and technology related legal news as well as highlights and profiles of resources and events across New York state.

 

News from the Center

 
NYS STLC

College of Law’s Technology Commercialization Law Program Re-Designated as the New York State Science and Technology Law Center

The College of Law’s Technology Commercialization Law Program (TCLP) has been re-designated as the New York State Science and Technology Law Center (NYSSTLC, or Law Center) for an additional five years by the Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR). The designation is the fourth consecutive, three-year term as the State’s Law Center for legal issues related to technology commercialization. Led by Law Center Director Jack Rudnick and Crandall Melvin Professor of Law Shubha Ghosh, TCLP’s faculty and students have supported the state’s economic development by providing research and information to help entrepreneurs determine prospects for the success of new and emerging technologies. During the most recent designation, NYSSTLC has completed approximately 150 research projects at an average rate of 50 projects a year for clients across all of New York State. For more on the new five-year designation, which includes more than $1.7 million in New York State funding, click here.

Lab141

For This Fashion Technology Company, the Technology Commercialization Research Center is a Perfect Fit

The College of Law’s Technology Commercialization Research Center and NYS STLC are helping one company make clothes that are a perfect fit for every customer. That company, Lab141, is taking a technological approach to offer advanced manufacturing so that consumers can access designers, retailers, and brands offering ready-to-wear, made-to-measure garments sent directly to their door. College of Law Adjunct Professor Dean Bell is leading the effort, along with 3rd year law students Annie Millar and Nick Jacobs as well as a student team enrolled in LAW 815. The course is also open to business and engineering students. The team is helping Lab141 conduct a patent landscape, competitive analysis, market landscape, and trademark review. For more on the partnership, click here. Shubha Ghosh, Crandall Melvin Professor of Law and Director of the Technology Commercialization Law Center, presented a webcast related to Lab141, titled Custom Fit, Fashion Standards, and Intellectual Property Commercialization, which you can watch here.

 

IP/Regulatory Law Watch

 
DOC

US Commercial Service Offers New Video Series

The US Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the US Dept. of Commerce. Trade professionals are located in over 100 US cities and 75 countries to help US companies successfully identify and enter the foreign markets it is best suited for. The Service collects market data from various countries and makes it available to US companies considering the market. The export.gov website offers a market assessment tool comparing opportunities in select market sectors across countries. In addition, they have rolled out a series of short videos providing country-specific market information.

Grant

Evolving Roles of Technology Transfer Offices

A November 2017 report titled: Technology Transfer Evolution: Driving Economic Prosperity examines the evolving indicators for success in Technology Transfer Offices (TTO). The authors support evolving TTO trends toward participation in innovation ecosystems and moving from a focus on revenue generation to a focus on quickly moving university IP into the marketplace – even without immediate, high revenue returns. The report outlines five topic areas as goals for TTOs and provides examples of success, obstacles and imperatives for each objective. Topics include engaging local ecosystems, fostering an entrepreneurial culture, and supporting startups. TTO challenges such as under-staffing, under-funding and marginalization are recognized. The report was published by the Technology Transfer Evolution Working Group of the Commission on Innovation, Competitiveness, and Economic Prosperity, part of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU).

WIPO

Patent Applications Rise Again in WIPO’s Annual IP Report

Patent applications in 2016 hit record highs according to The World Intellectual Property Organization’s annual report. 3.1 million patent applications were filed in 2016, a 8.3% increase from 2015. China led the way in receiving patent applications with 1.3 million, followed by the United States (605,571) and Japan (318,381). About 7 million trademark applications were filed, equating to a 16.4% increase while design applications grew by 10.4% to almost 1 million. To read the full WIPO report, click here. In the United States, IBM, Samsung, Canon, Intel, and Google held the most patents in 2016, according to the Intellectual Property Owners Association.

 

Around New York State

 

NEXUS NY Clean Energy Incubator Announces 2018 teams

NEXUS-NY is a NYSERDA funded clean energy proof of concept accelerator where commercial pathways for new technology in the clean energy space are explored. The goal is to create scalable, clean energy companies in New York State. The program provides up to $75,000 in equity-free financial support. This is its fifth year in operation. A dozen of the NEXUS-NY companies have raised over $30M in follow-on funding, and a number of those have begun sales. The accelerator helps many university technologies obtain an informed “go /-no-go” determination. Read about the 2018 teams here.

New York City Puts Up $100 Million to Create a Biotech Hub

New York City is requesting proposals for the development of a new top tier biotech hub as part of the city’s LifeSci NY initiative. In an effort to compete with the likes of San Francisco and Boston, New York is hoping the money will attract both current and upcoming biotechnology companies. A total of $500 million will be invested in the effort, which is expected to create 16,000 new jobs. “One area where we know that we are not the top is in the commercialization of the life sciences,” said James Patchett, President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). “And, so, we believe that there’s a moment in time, right now, where if we put our cards on the table we can be a leader in this field.” For more on the story, click here.

EEE

Entrepreneurship Program at Whitman School of Management’s Named ‘National Model Entrepreneurship Program’

The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) recently named the Whitman School of Management’s Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) program as the National Model Program. The USASBE declares that the award “recognizes colleges and universities that provide comprehensive, bold, high quality educational programs that train future generations of entrepreneurs, as well as the comprehensiveness of a curricular program.” The EEE program, which had 3000 students last year, is unique in that it prepares students for four different tracks in entrepreneurship: venture creation, corporate entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and family business. For more on what the award means for the Whitman School of Management and for the EEE program, click here.

 

Events

 
CNY

Trademarks: The Key to Commercialization

Craig Morris, managing attorney for trademark outreach at the USPTO will present on trademark issues at the CNY Biotech Accelerator on March 28, 3 – 4:30 p.m. The presentation will cover how trademarks, copyrights, patents, domain names, and business name registrations differ, the role of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the importance of doing a complete trademark search, and the role of trademark attorneys. There is no charge for the presentation but registration is required. To register, click here.

HackUpstate

Hack Upstate XI

Hack Upstate XI will take place on April 14 and 15 at The Technology Garden in Syracuse. The free weekend hackathon is open to students and practitioners, “where developers, innovators and designers from Upstate New York come to Syracuse, NY, share ideas, form teams and build incredible products.” To learn more about the event, including prizes, sponsors, judgement criteria and more, click here.

StartFast

Applications Now Open for 2018 StartFast Cohort

StartFast, a highly selective mentorship-driven startup accelerator, is currently accepting applications for its 2018 cohort. Each year, the accelerator invests in 5-7 software, mobile, or Internet-of-things companies and creates customized programs for each of the company’s needs. $25,000 is invested in each accepted company up front, with up to $100,000 in additional follow up funding. Applications are being accepted until March 31. To learn more and apply, click here.

 
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